Avram Grant is close to quitting as Portsmouth manager after two of his best players were sold behind his back.

Defender Younes Kaboul and keeper Asmir Begovic - man of the match in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against West Ham - were sold to Spurs yesterday for around £6million.

The deal will help Portsmouth pay the players' wage bill, around £1.75million, on Friday.

But Grant was privately fuming as he believes the south coast side - who travel to wealthy Manchester City on Sunday - now have no chance of survival.

Indeed, only last month Grant insisted no player would be sold without his prior approval.

Kaboul, 24, and goalkeeper Begovic, 22, are to reunite with former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

But Pompey cannot rely on David James as he will be sold to Stoke for just £1million by Monday's transfer deadline.

The deal is understood to have been agreed by executive director Mark Jacob and controversial finance chief Danny Azougy to help raise cash to pay Pompey’s January wage bill.

Chief executive Peter Storrie last night claimed he, too, had been kept out of the loop along with Grant.

Storrie said: "In many ways our position at the club has become untenable. It makes you wonder what we are doing here at the moment.

"In my time at the club I have negotiated some expensive deals in and out and I think I am good at it.

"If there is a need to sell players to keep the club afloat then I think I’m the best person to get the best fees.

"I did not know anything about these deals until I came into the office this morning and spoke to Avram.

"I was told there were meetings going on at Spurs.

"Avram is disappointed. He understands that if someone has to be sold to keep the club going, then so be it.

"But we both feel we could have got a better deal.

"I think Begovic is going to be a fantastic player in the future so to sell him is not the best move in the world.

"That is the deal that Avram is disappointed with the most."

The sales continue a remarkable exodus of players from the troubled club, whose website was shut down yesterday because they cannot afford to run it.

Portsmouth are also in talks with West Ham and Wigan over Algerian midfielder Nadir Belhadj, while Sporting are interested in the Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda and Birmingham are closing in on the signing of striker Aruna Dindane, recalled from his loan at Fratton Park by Lens because Pompey cannot afford to keep him.

Storrie added: "Avram came into the club and has a love and affection for the club but we feel we have been pushed to one side.

"Something has to give and clearly the owners have to decide the best way forward."

Tottenham are willing to pay £8million to take back Kaboul, but Pompey still owe £2m from his original switch to Fratton Park. Spurs are also entitled to a 20 per cent sell on of any fee over £4m pounds.